Islands of Ireland: Inisherkin is a pretty bleak — but also majestic — spot in Clew Bay

At low tide it's possible to walk to this County Mayo island

Islands of Ireland: Inisherkin, Clew Bay, County Mayo. Picture: Dan MacCarthy

As the picture suggests, this particular island is a pretty bleak place. And yet, majestic in its own way. There is no one there living there now but in the 19th century several families called it home. Its treeless 'quality' is most striking. Then of course, the unforgiving sea, and the also treeless mountain range lying behind it — part of the Nephin range looking like an uncoiled snake — are also striking. No names of any places on the island, such as headlands, bays or cliffs, are extant so the mountain's also unforgiving peaks of quartzite, must provide: Nephin Beg, Maumthomas Corranabinnia.

Inisherkin, County Mayo shares its name with one in West Cork (Sherkin in English) but has much less going for it than the latter’s audacious beauty.